Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton trains expected to run tomorrow following freight derailment
Disruption between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton caused by a low-speed freight train derailment in Oxley is expected to end tomorrow, Friday 8 May, as railway teams make good progress on recovery and repairs.
Since the derailment on Tuesday evening, 5 May, railway teams have been working round-the-clock to rerail the derailed freight wagon. Their efforts will continue overnight tonight, and providing the work progresses as planned, the railway will reopen for passengers for the start of service tomorrow.
The challenges of safely rerailing a 100 tonne wagon, before being able to carry out extensive repairs to significantly damaged track and overhead power lines, has meant it has taken time to make good progress but teams on the ground have remained committed to fixing the issue as quickly and safely as possible.
The derailment means there are currently no trains running between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, but West Midlands Railway is running a shuttle service between Shrewsbury and Telford. Transport for Wales (TfW) is unable to operate its service to and from Birmingham Airport, with all journeys starting and ending at Shrewsbury. TfW-organised buses will run between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton to help keep passengers moving.
Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail's Central route, said: "This continues to be a hugely challenging situation, but we have made good progress and will continue to use all our teams and our experience to reopen the railway as quickly as we can. Provided the recovery work continues as we have carefully planned, our focus is to reopen the railway for the start of service on Friday.
"While it was a low-speed, single wagon derailment, it has still caused significant disruption to passengers and extensive damage to the track and overhead power lines.
"Thank you for everyone's patience while we manage this situation and please continue to check before you travel for the latest information."
The low-speed derailment happened at around 8.30pm on Tuesday 5 May, when one wagon of a freight train derailed causing significant damage to the track and overhead power lines. There were no injuries, the derailed wagon remained upright, and no other trains were involved.
Network Rail continues to work closely with train operators to keep passengers moving, and with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to understand the cause of the derailment.
Passengers can plan their journey and check before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.
